Archive for 'Newborn'

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope. ~ Psalms 130:5

For the past five years, there’s been a vacant room at Terri and Tyler’s home. Not vacant by choice, but by circumstance. Like thousands of childless couples, the wait has been enduring and often heartbreaking. But unlike the many who simply give up and accept their fate, Terri and Tyler stood steadfast in their faith. For this couple, it has only been through their belief in God’s promise, their own prayers and those of family and friends, that they were able to make it through their long journey of loss, hurt and emptiness. Despite it all, their faith never wavered.

I, personally, have been part of this couple’s journey, and was excited beyond belief when hearing the wonderful news – a baby girl was soon to make their family complete. Their fervent prayers had been answered.

The adoption process went through without a hitch, and I was asked to capture some of their first moments together at home. Needless to say, I was both excited and humbled. As Terri held little Cora Rosalie (named after both their grandmothers), she said, “It feels so surreal. Like all the pain, hurt and waiting over the past years have all been redeemed in that very moment.” More than once, my eyes filled with tears as I watched this couple snuggling with their daughter. It was truly a moment not only of love and faith, but also a testament of God’s promise. As Tyler watched his wife gently cradle their daughter for the first time, he said, “It was amazing to see God’s plan come together. I couldn’t take my eyes off the baby – she’s a precious gift.”

Like all parents, Terri and Tyler have hopes and dreams for their daughter. Said Terri, “Our hope is that she will always know how much she was prayed for – that her story is amazing. The way she joined our family is so special and reflective of the way we, as believers, are adopted into the family of God.”

To the other parents who have yet to see their dreams realized, Terri has encouragement for them, “Don’t lose hope. Keep your faith. God allows things to happen at precisely the right time. Our job isn’t to figure out when, but to trust in Him, keeping your heart and mind focused. Trusting God brings life.”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

One of the joys of being a photographer is to witness events with ‘the other eye.’
When finding yourself behind the camera, you’re typically looking at shutter speed, f-stops, light measurements, exposure, shadows, and other technical things unique to your trade.
You’ve balanced the lighting, arranged the props nine different ways, checked and re-checked everything like an automaton.
And in that moment, when you bring the camera to your face, ‘the other eye’ takes over so that what you’re seeing, is much more than just a small image of the subject at hand.
It’s your ‘other eye’ that witnesses joy and laughter, tears and heartache. It’s your ‘other eye’ that helps you bring everything into perspective so your photo tells a story, instead of being like a flat xerox copy of an image.

As I pulled the camera into place last week during a newborn session, my ‘other eye’ seemed to be telling me something I couldn’t quite grasp.
I stopped, adjusted the subject, refocused, and that feeling was still there…..just out of reach.

The sweet 7-day-old girl I was photographing needed a break, so I put down my camera and took her into my arms. While rocking and soothing her, I relaxed and took stock of the job. This was so much more than just a newborn session . . . it was the opportunity to document life.

As I raised the camera once again, I could clearly see her now with my ‘other eye.’ She was a new life that signified the joy of her parents as they awaited her arrival, a life that would someday have her own hopes and dreams. A tiny life that had just come into this world, with nothing but a wide open future ahead of her. I was humbled.